The Federal government says women and children living on First Nations now have access to the same matrimonial rights as those living off-reserve.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt made the announcement this morning.
He says Bill S-2, the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, was given Royal Assent back in June and came into force a few days ago.
The Act was created to address problems that sometimes rise when couples split up on reserve.
For years women’s advocacy groups have said that very often the women lose out, sometimes thrown out with just the clothes on their back and no recourse to take.
The Act protects the rights of people connected to the family home including matrimonial interest.
It allows judges to issue emergency protection orders, remove violent partners from the home and allow courts to apply First Nations own matrimonial real property laws that respect culture and tradition.
The government has also created a Centre of Excellence to help bands understand the new Act and learn more about how to create their own laws.
Meantime two Aboriginal groups are applauding the news.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples says the legislation is overdue and will help ensure families are protected under the law and afforded the same rights as those living off-reserve.
The National Association of Friendship Centres says it looks forward to assisting the Centre of Excllence.
The news comes with a stark reminder though that on December 16, 2014, the federal rules will apply to those bands that haven’t yet developed their own matrimonial real property law.